NameCensus.

UK surname

Train

A surname derived from the Old French word "traine," meaning to pull or drag.

In the 1881 census there were 673 people recorded with the Train surname, ranking it #5,361 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 817, ranked #6,789, down from #5,361 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Chudleigh, Hull Holy Trinity and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include East Riding of Yorkshire, Ryedale and Kingston upon Hull.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Train is 872 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 21.4%.

1881 census count

673

Ranked #5,361

Modern count

817

2016, ranked #6,789

Peak year

1998

872 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Train had 673 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #5,361 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 817 in 2016, ranked #6,789.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 803 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Young Families in Industrial Towns.

Train surname distribution map

The map shows where the Train surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Train surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Train over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 480 #5,191
1861 historical 524 #5,005
1881 historical 673 #5,361
1891 historical 666 #5,844
1901 historical 803 #5,624
1911 historical 578 #7,032
1997 modern 848 #6,255
1998 modern 872 #6,311
1999 modern 866 #6,389
2000 modern 871 #6,331
2001 modern 844 #6,373
2002 modern 852 #6,448
2003 modern 836 #6,422
2004 modern 841 #6,399
2005 modern 818 #6,492
2006 modern 800 #6,629
2007 modern 797 #6,713
2008 modern 806 #6,705
2009 modern 820 #6,741
2010 modern 842 #6,743
2011 modern 819 #6,809
2012 modern 808 #6,784
2013 modern 824 #6,777
2014 modern 833 #6,764
2015 modern 827 #6,748
2016 modern 817 #6,789

Geography

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Where Trains are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Chudleigh, Hull Holy Trinity, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Cambusnethan. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to East Riding of Yorkshire, Ryedale, Kingston upon Hull, Wychavon and North Tyneside. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Chudleigh Devon
2 Hull Holy Trinity Yorkshire, East Riding
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Glasgow Lanark
5 Cambusnethan Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 East Riding of Yorkshire 032 East Riding of Yorkshire
2 Ryedale 008 Ryedale
3 Kingston upon Hull 028 Kingston upon Hull, City of
4 Wychavon 010 Wychavon
5 North Tyneside 030 North Tyneside

Forenames

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First names often paired with Train

These lists show first names that appear often with the Train surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Train

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Train, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce

Group

Young Families in Industrial Towns

Nationally, the Train surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Young Families in Industrial Towns, within Semi- and Un-Skilled Workforce. This does not mean every Train household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods house predominantly young, UK-born individuals identifying with a White ethnic group with dependent children. Long-term disability and unpaid care are prevalent, and religious affiliations are uncommon. Housing is terraced or semi-detached and social rented sector housing is the norm. Unemployment is above the Supergroup average, and employment is principally in elementary occupations, as process plant and machine operatives, or in caring and leisure services. Educational attainment is low. The group is scattered throughout former industrial towns in the Midlands and the South Wales Valleys.

Wider pattern

Living in terraced or semi-detached houses, residents of these neighbourhoods typically lack high levels of education and work in elementary or routine service occupations. Unemployment is above average. Residents are predominantly born in the UK, and residents are also predominantly from ethnic minorities. Social (but not private sector) rented sector housing is common. This Supergroup is found throughout the UK’s conurbations and industrial regions but is also an integral part of smaller towns.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Train is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Train is most concentrated in decile 7 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname near the middle of the scale.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

7
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Train falls in decile 1 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

1
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Train is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Train, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Train

The surname Train has its origins in England, dating back to the late 12th century. It is derived from the Old French word "traine," which means "to drag" or "to trail." This name was likely given as an occupational surname to someone who worked as a hauler or drayman, transporting goods by dragging them along the ground or on a simple sledge.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the surname Train can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Northamptonshire in 1195, where a person named Roger le Treine is mentioned. This suggests that the name was already established in parts of central England by the late 12th century.

In the 13th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as Trayne, Treyn, and Traine, reflecting the evolving orthography of the time. One notable example is Robert le Treine, who was recorded in the Curia Regis Rolls of Middlesex in 1212.

The Train surname has also been linked to certain place names, particularly the village of Treen in Cornwall, which derives its name from the Cornish word "tre," meaning a homestead or settlement. This suggests that some bearers of the surname may have originated from this area or nearby regions.

Among the notable historical figures with the surname Train, one can mention:

1. Sir John Train (c. 1435 - 1506), a Scottish nobleman and Lord Treasurer of Scotland during the reign of King James IV.

2. Robert Train (c. 1595 - 1661), a Scottish minister and theologian who served as the Principal of the University of Edinburgh.

3. Joseph Train (1779 - 1852), a Scottish antiquarian and writer, known for his works on the history and antiquities of the Scottish Borders.

4. George Francis Train (1829 - 1904), an American entrepreneur, author, and eccentric who became famous for his global travels and self-promotion.

5. Arthur Train (1875 - 1945), an American lawyer, legal scholar, and author of mystery novels, including the popular "Mr. Tutt" series.

The Train surname has been present in various parts of the British Isles and has been carried by individuals from different walks of life, including nobility, clergy, scholars, and authors, reflecting its diverse origins and historical significance.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Train families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Train surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Yorkshire leads with 200 Trains recorded in 1881 and an index of 3.07x.

County Total Index
Yorkshire 200 3.07x
Lanarkshire 120 5.64x
Ayrshire 51 10.37x
Devon 45 3.29x
Midlothian 43 4.88x
Durham 35 1.79x
Northumberland 30 3.07x
Middlesex 22 0.33x
Lancashire 19 0.24x
Nottinghamshire 17 1.92x
Warwickshire 15 0.90x
Lincolnshire 12 1.14x
Cornwall 7 0.94x
Derbyshire 7 0.68x
Stirlingshire 7 2.89x
Surrey 7 0.22x
Sussex 7 0.63x
Argyllshire 5 2.73x
Fife 4 1.03x
Kent 3 0.13x
Renfrewshire 3 0.59x
Buteshire 2 5.02x
Cumberland 2 0.35x
Staffordshire 2 0.09x
Berkshire 1 0.20x
Cheshire 1 0.07x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.57x
Essex 1 0.08x
Hampshire 1 0.07x
Hertfordshire 1 0.22x
Leicestershire 1 0.14x
Perthshire 1 0.34x
Wigtownshire 1 1.15x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Cambusnethan in Lanarkshire leads with 30 Trains recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.53x.

Place Total Index
Cambusnethan 30 63.53x
Glasgow 24 6.36x
Holy Trinity 24 15.32x
Carluke 23 119.11x
Sculcoates 21 20.33x
Mauchline 20 353.36x
Govan 16 3.04x
Anlaby 13 915.49x
Great Driffield 12 89.75x
Hornsea 12 290.56x
Leeds 12 3.26x
Wolborough 12 69.36x
Chudleigh 11 252.87x
Cottingham 11 78.35x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 11 3.10x
Barony 9 1.67x
Lenton 9 43.12x
Kilmarnock 8 13.66x
Kilwinning 8 50.35x
Lasswade 8 39.72x
Leven 8 418.85x
Mansfield 8 26.08x
Rawmarsh 8 34.75x
Beverley St Martin 7 64.40x
Cramond 7 104.95x
Dalserf 7 32.99x
Dawdon 7 29.09x
Luttons Ambo 7 518.52x
Norton In Malton 7 88.61x
Patrington 7 227.27x
Saltash 7 121.32x
Subdeanery 7 83.23x
York St George 7 136.45x
Bury 6 6.73x
Cowpen 6 26.63x
Harton 6 77.62x
Longbenton 6 14.48x
Plymouth Charles The 6 9.95x
Pocklington 6 97.56x
Alnwick 5 29.73x
Bromley London 5 3.46x
Bulkington 5 139.66x
Darlington 5 6.62x
Douglas 5 81.57x
Gateshead 5 3.41x
Manchester 5 1.43x
Newton On Ayr 5 33.92x
Paddington London 5 2.07x
Sorn 5 51.71x
Spotland 5 5.77x
Wentworth 5 124.07x
Ashborne 4 57.14x
Avondale 4 32.18x
Byker 4 8.27x
Clee With Weelsby 4 17.38x
East Teignmouth 4 71.43x
Edinburgh St Stephens 4 23.07x
Hutton Cranswick 4 145.99x
North Frodingham 4 261.44x
St Martin Lincoln 4 41.03x
Wemyss 4 24.29x
Beverley St Mary 3 31.51x
Bow London 3 3.58x
Burton Hastings 3 810.81x
Camberwell 3 0.71x
Coventry Holy Trinity 3 6.06x
Lesbury 3 138.89x
South Leith 3 3.03x
Stirling 3 9.81x
Thurlstone 3 46.66x
Tormoham 3 5.18x
West Herrington 3 43.80x
Campsie 2 15.03x
East Greenock 2 4.16x
Gainsborough 2 8.07x
Knapdale South 2 31.80x
Liberton 2 14.71x
Newton Abbot St Mary 2 17.42x
Westoe 2 1.80x
Wolstanton 2 2.97x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Train surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Train surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 32
William 27
George 24
Thomas 24
Henry 12
Joseph 11
James 8
Richard 7
Robert 6
Alfred 5
Frederick 5
Arthur 4
Edward 4
Samuel 4
Albert 3
Martin 3
Patrick 3
Walter 3
Alexander 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Frank 2
Fred 2
Harry 2
Michael 2
Buchannan 1
Charles 1
Chas.Hy. 1
Christopher 1
Daniel 1
Danl. 1
David 1
Dominick 1
Earnest 1
Elias 1
Fredk. 1
Nelson 1
Ralph 1
Reuben 1
Robson 1
Tom 1
Willm. 1

FAQ

Train surname: questions and answers

How common was the Train surname in 1881?

In 1881, 673 people were recorded with the Train surname. That placed it at #5,361 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Train surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 817 in 2016. That gives Train a modern rank of #6,789.

What does the Train surname mean?

A surname derived from the Old French word "traine," meaning to pull or drag.

What does the Train map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Train bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.